Since IKEA started paying their co-workers the 'Real Living Wage' in April 2016, Shu Qi Man, a 28-year-old co-worker at the Gateshead store, has been able to develop a fulfilling life outside of work.

As a values-driven organisation, IKEA committed to paying the Real Living Wage in 2015 as part of its commitment to make a positive contribution to all of its co-worker’s lives.

IKEA is one of the only major UK retailers to become a Real Living Wage employer, in addition to being a Principal Partner of the Living Wage Foundation.

When she joined IKEA Gateshead as a co-worker in January 2016, Shu Qi had been working two jobs to make ends meet and struggled to manage her work-life balance.

Shu Qi comments: “The Real Living Wage has allowed me to work just one job and still have a comfortable income. I have always enjoyed volunteering in my spare time so by receiving the Real Living Wage, I am able to volunteer once a week at Re-styled by St Oswald’s Hospice, where I volunteer as an upcycler to give donated furniture and goods a new lease of life. All profits raised from the upcycled products directly fund St Oswald’s Hospice, which provides specialist care for adults, young people and children from across the North East.”

“By paying the Real Living Wage, IKEA also allows me to reconnect with my hobbies, which I didn’t previously have time for. I have enough money left to rent a studio space to escape to, where I paint, sew and knit. I have also been able to save up some money each month and in the process of purchasing my first home, which wouldn’t be possible without the Real Living Wage. I am so excited to start a new chapter of life.”

As well as paying the Real Living Wage to all co-workers, IKEA has introduced its Employment Standards, a holistic approach towards improving co-worker satisfaction.

As part of this, IKEA aims to provide a good work-life balance for co-workers and introduced its one weekend off in four initiatives in March this year.

The current compulsory National Living Wage stands at £7.83, for those aged 25 or older. IKEA has agreed to pay a 'Real Living Wage', which currently sits at £9 an hour, after a 2.8% increase. In London, it will pay co-workers £10.55 an hour.